Big Ring ride attracts 450 cyclists to Orange County

Some of the 450 riders get ready to ride in the Big Ring Century on June 23 starting at Crossline Community Church in Laguna Hills. COURTESY OF THE BIG RING CENTURY

Road cycling tidbits

NEW BLOG: Irvine bike shop A Road Bike 4U has started a blog (roadbikeoc.com) with the goal of covering everything road cycling in Orange County. The shop, owned by Bruce Marshall, will host the blog with multiple contributors from the shop as well as guest bloggers.

CENTURY IN O.C.: This year's OC Gran Fondo is Sept.29, starting in Irvine with four routes (101, 64, 30 and 11 miles). All riders receive a pasta meal and the 101- and 64-mile riders will receive a free jersey. Go toocgranfondo.com to register and see the routes.

ALTON OPEN: Riders might have noticed the new Alton Parkway from Irvine Boulevard up to Portola Parkway is open on fresh pavement. It's a little longer but not as steep as neighboring Bake Parkway. A couple of Strava segments already have been created – 1 mile to Commercentre and 1.9 miles to Town Center. Mike Joyce leads the Strava Town Center climb, riding at 20.3 mph.

When Mark Dupray and his dad Mark Sr. of Laguna Niguel first came up with the idea to sponsor a century bike ride in Orange County, they hoped it might attract a few hundred cyclists.

Fast forward to June 23, when the inaugural Big Ring Century rolled out from Crossline Community Church in Laguna Hills. The Duprays' expectations were far exceeded with 450 riders.

"A few weeks before the event, we were thrilled to think that 300 riders could actually show up," Dupray said. "When we passed this number we thought, 'would 400 riders be possible?' When the ride left, we had 450 riders with us ... We absolutely were floored."

The Big Ring Century had three different rides – the 100-mile century, 62-mile metric century and a 20-mile family fun ride. About 75 percent of the entrants choose the challenging century route that took riders up Shady Canyon, over to the Back Bay, up the Santa Ana River Trail, through Santiago Canyon and up Chart House Hill in Dana Point.

The charity ride benefitted FaithQuest Missions, with proceeds helping residents in Malawi, Africa. The event began with a prayer, and then Queen's "Bicycle Race" played through speakers as riders passed the starting line and onto Moulton Parkway.

"As the ride left, the courtyard and ramp areas were packed with riders, and the energy was very high," Dupray said. "It was at this point that we looked across the campus and realized just how well it had all come together."

Many wore their Big Ring Century jerseys, which every century and metric rider received with registration. Riders came from all over, and many were decked out in their club uniforms, including a group of women wearing A Road Bike 4 U kits.

I spoke to riders who traveled from Las Vegas because "it's about 40 degrees cooler here." The Vegas guys, like others I met during the ride, had glowing reviews of the Big Ring and plan to return next year.

For the Duprays and the 70 volunteers who began at 5 a.m., the day was busy but satisfying.

"What was amazing was how our volunteers took it upon themselves to create an atmosphere that could have never been planned," Dupray said.

Volunteers greeted each rider with sirens and cow bells as they crossed the finish line.

They sang "Happy Birthday" to a young rider who finished his first century as both parents watched. Volunteers picked up a lost rider who cycled 20 miles out of the way to Long Beach, and returned him to the route so he could finish the ride.

"There are so many stories like these that collectively have made our inaugural Big Ring Century a great success." Dupray said.

Some of the 450 riders get ready to ride in the Big Ring Century on June 23 starting at Crossline Community Church in Laguna Hills. COURTESY OF THE BIG RING CENTURY
Scott Albert crosses the finish line after riding the Big Ring Century on June 23 in Orange County COURTESY OF BIG RING CENTURY
Rik Mumma of Irvine climbs the tough Chart House Hill in Dana Point during the Big Ring Century inaugural ride on June 23. COURTESY OF BIG RING CENTURY

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